Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display panel and a window cover disposed on the display panel. The window cover includes an active area and a non-active area including an icon area. The window cover includes a window base substrate, a first color layer which is disposed on the window base substrate and covers the icon area, a second color layer which is disposed on the first color layer and in which a first opening overlapping with the icon area is defined, a light-blocking layer which is disposed on the second color layer and in which a second opening overlapping with the first opening is defined, and an icon layer filling the first opening and the second opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/938,497 filed on Mar. 28, 2018, which claimspriority under 35 USC § 119 to Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0062962, filed on May 22, 2017, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device and,more particularly, to a display device that includes a window coverincluding an icon area.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various display devices such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devicesand/or organic light emitting display devices (OLED) have beencommercialized with the development of multimedia.

Screens of these display devices are exposed outward to provide visualinformation (e.g., an image) to a user. Since these screens arevulnerable to an external impact and a scratch, window covers areattached to display devices to protect the screens of the displaydevices.

A display device includes a plurality of icons for performing variousfunctions such as adjustment of volume and selection of a menu and, forexample, the window cover includes an area in which the icon isprovided. When at least one among the icons is selected by a user, afunction corresponding to the selected icon is performed. In otherwords, the display device may display an image corresponding to theselected icon. Generally, the icons are visible to a user regardless ofwhether they work or not.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a display device whichis capable of easily adjusting a transmittance and a color of an icon asnecessary and of which the icon is visible to a user in a specific mode.

In an aspect, a display device may include a display panel, and a windowcover that is disposed on the display panel and includes an active areaand a non-active area including an icon area. The window cover mayinclude a window base substrate, a first color layer which is disposedon the window base substrate and covers the icon area, a second colorlayer which is disposed on the first color layer and in which a firstopening overlapping with the icon area is defined, a light-blockinglayer which is disposed on the second color layer and in which a secondopening overlapping with the first opening is defined, and an icon layerfilling the first opening and the second opening.

A width of the second opening may be smaller than a width of the firstopening.

Each of the first and second color layers may have a first color, andthe icon layer may have a second color different from the first color.

The first color and the second color may complement each other.

A portion of the light-blocking layer may cover at least a portion of aninner sidewall of the first opening.

A portion of the light-blocking layer may be in contact with the firstcolor layer.

A portion of the icon layer may be disposed on the light-blocking layer.

The icon layer may include a first sub-icon layer filling the firstopening, a second sub-icon layer filling the second opening, and a thirdsub-icon layer disposed under the second sub-icon layer and on a bottomsurface of a portion of the light-blocking layer.

A width of the third sub-icon layer may be greater than a width of thefirst sub-icon layer and a width of the second sub-icon layer.

The display device may further include a third color layer disposedbetween the first color layer and the second color layer.

A third opening overlapping with the first opening may be defined in thethird color layer.

A width of the third opening may be equal to a width of the firstopening and greater than a width of the second opening.

The display device may further include a sub-substrate layer disposedbetween the window base substrate and the first color layer, and anadhesive layer disposed between the window base substrate and thesub-substrate layer.

The display device may further include an ultraviolet (UV) pattern layerdisposed between the sub-substrate layer and the first color layer.

The display device may further include a reflection pattern layercovering at least a portion of the UV pattern layer.

The light-blocking layer may have a black color.

Each of the first and second color layers may include at least one of ametal particle, a pearl pigment, or a mirror ink.

The display device may further include an icon backlight unit disposedon the light-blocking layer and the icon layer.

The icon backlight unit may be fixed to the window cover.

The icon backlight unit may include a light source, and the light sourcemay not overlap with the display panel when viewed in a plan view.

In an aspect, a display device may include a display panel, and a windowcover that is disposed on the display panel and includes an active areaand an icon area. The window cover may include a window base substrate,a multi-layered color layer that is disposed on the window basesubstrate and overlaps with the icon area, and an icon layer disposed ata lower side of the multi-layered color layer. The multi-layered colorlayer may include a lower layer covering the icon area, at least oneintermediate layer in which an intermediate opening overlapping with theicon area is defined, and an upper layer in which an upper openingoverlapping with the intermediate opening is defined. The upper layermay include a light-blocking material, and a portion of the upper layermay cover at least a portion of an inner sidewall of the intermediateopening.

In the display device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, an icon is visible to a user only in a specific mode, andcolor feeling and light transmittance of the icon can be controlled asneeded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent by describing in further detail exemplaryembodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a window cover included in a displaydevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a line I-I′of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a lineII-II′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a lineIII-III′ of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments areshown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms, and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region orsubstrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can bedirectly on the other element or intervening elements may be present. Incontrast, the term “directly” means that there are no interveningelements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” It will be understood that, although theterms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe variouselements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited bythese terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element,component, region, layer or section from another region, layer orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. Exemplaryembodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectionalillustrations and/or plane illustrations that are idealized exemplaryillustrations. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regionsare exaggerated for clarity. Accordingly, variations from the shapes ofthe illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodimentsshould not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwiseoriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatiallyrelative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an embodiment will bedescribed.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display device DDaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display device DD according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure includes a display panel DP and a window cover WCdisposed on the display panel DP.

The window cover WC includes an active area AA, in which an image isdisplayed by light outputted from the display panel DD, and a non-activearea NAA adjacent to the active area AA. The non-active area NAA is anarea in which an image is not displayed by light outputted from thedisplay panel DP. The active area AA may have a quadrilateral shape. Thenon-active area NAA may surround the active area AA when viewed in aplan view. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are notlimited thereto. In certain embodiments, the shape of the active area AAand the shape of the non-active area NAA may be variously designed.

A top surface of each of members is parallel to a plane defined by afirst directional axis DR1 and a second directional axis DR2. Athickness direction of the display device DD is parallel to a thirddirectional axis DR3. The top surface (or an upper portion) and a bottomsurface (or a lower portion) of each of the members are defined by thethird directional axis DR3. However, directions indicated by the firstto third directional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be relative concepts andmay be changed into other directions. Hereinafter, first to thirddirections are the directions indicated by the first to thirddirectional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3, respectively, and are indicated bythe same reference designators as the first to third directional axesDR1, DR2, and DR3.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a window cover WC included in adisplay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the non-active area NAA includes an icon area IA inwhich an icon is displayed. In other words, a portion of the non-activearea NAA corresponds to the icon area IA in which the icon is displayed.The number of the icon area IA may be changed as necessary, and two iconareas IA spaced apart from each other are illustrated as an example inFIG. 2.

Hereinafter, the window cover WC will be described in more detail. FIGS.3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views corresponding to a line I-I′of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the window cover WC includes a window basesubstrate WB, a first color layer CL1 disposed on the window basesubstrate WB, a second color layer CL2 disposed on the first color layerCL1, and a light-blocking layer LB disposed on the second color layerCL2. For example, the first color layer CL1, the second color layer CL2,and the light-blocking layer LB may be sequentially stacked on a bottomsurface of the window base substrate WB.

The window base substrate WB may be a general one known in the art. Forexample, the window base substrate WB may include at least one oftempered glass or reinforced plastic.

The first color layer CL1, the second color layer CL2, and thelight-blocking layer LB are disposed on the non-active area NAA of thewindow cover WC. The active area AA of the window cover WC is exposed bythe first color layer CL1, the second color layer CL2, and thelight-blocking layer LB. The non-active area NAA of the window cover WCis entirely covered by the first color layer CL1.

A portion, corresponding to the non-active area NAA, of the bottomsurface of the window base substrate WB may be entirely covered by thefirst color layer CL1, the second color layer CL2, and thelight-blocking layer LB, except for a portion corresponding to (oroverlapping with) first and second openings OP1 and OP2. Thus, it ispossible to prevent light from being outputted through a portion exceptfor a shape of the icon.

The first opening OP1 is defined in the second color layer CL2, and thesecond opening OP2 is defined in the light-blocking layer LB. The secondopening OP2 overlaps with the first opening OP1. The first and secondopenings OP1 and OP2 are disposed in the icon area IA. The window coverWC includes an icon layer IL that fills the first opening OP1 and thesecond opening OP2. The first and second openings OP1 and OP2 may becompletely filled with the icon layer IL. However, embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, aportion of the first opening OP1 may be filled with a portion of thelight-blocking layer LB, and this will be described later in moredetail.

A bottom surface of the first color layer CL1, which is exposed by thefirst and second openings OP1 and OP2, may be covered by the icon layerIL.

A width W2 of the second opening OP2 may be smaller than a width W1 ofthe first opening OP1. Each of the first color layer CL1, the secondcolor layer CL2 and the light-blocking layer LB may be, for example, aprinted layer formed by a printing process, and the width W2 of thesecond opening OP2 may be smaller than the width W1 of the first openingOP1 in consideration of a tolerance of the printing process.

Each of the first color layer CL1, the second color layer CL2, thelight-blocking layer LB and the icon layer IL may be formed by a generalmethod known in the art, for example, a silk-screen printing process.However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.In certain embodiments, an indirect printing process such as a PADprocess may be used to form each of the first color layer CL1, thesecond color layer CL2 and the light-blocking layer LB.

An opening is not defined in the first color layer CL1. The icon area IAis covered by the first color layer CL1. Thus, the icon displayed in theicon area IA is visible to a user only when a backlight is driven. Theicon is not clearly visible to the user in an off state of thebacklight. In other words, in the display device DD of FIG. 1 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, the icon is visible to auser in a specific mode in which the backlight providing light to theicon is driven. For example, when a touch is sensed in the icon area IA,the backlight providing the light to the icon is driven, and thus theicon can be visible or shown to a user. The backlight providing thelight to the icon will be described later in more detail.

Each of the first and second color layers CL1 and CL2 may have a firstcolor. In other words, the first and second color layers CL1 and CL2 mayhave the same color. A color of the non-active area NAA is determined bythe first color of the first and second color layers CL1 and CL2. Theicon layer IL may have a second color different from the first color.The second color of the icon layer IL may be determined depending on afinally desired icon color in consideration of a light transmittance ofthe first color. In other words, the second color of the icon layer ILcan be variously changed as needed. For example, the icon layer IL maybe formed by a process of thermally hardening a composition in which apigment is dispersed in a transparent resin. A color of the pigment maybe variously selected as needed.

For example, the first color and the second color may complement eachother. In this case, the color of the icon finally visible to a user maybe a white color.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 6 is aschematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of FIG. 2in accordance with yet another embodiment. FIGS. 5, 6 are similar toFIG. 3 and only the significant differences between FIGS. 5, 6 and FIG.3 are described below.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, a portion of the light-blocking layer LBmay cover at least a portion of an inner sidewall IN1 of the firstopening OP1. When the light-blocking layer LB is formed by the printingprocess, a material of the light-blocking layer LB may fill a portion ofthe first opening OP1 since the width W1 of the first opening OP1 isgreater than the width W2 of the second opening OP2. As a result, theportion of the light-blocking layer LB may cover at least a portion ofthe inner sidewall IN1 of the first opening OP1 (FIG. 5). In someembodiments, the portion of the light-blocking layer LB may cover theentire inner sidewall IN1 of the first opening OP1 and be in contactwith the first color layer CL1 (FIG. 6). However, embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, a portion of the icon layer IL may be disposed onthe light-blocking layer LB (e.g., on a bottom surface of thelight-blocking layer LB). A delicate process design may be required inorder that the icon layer IL fills the first and second openings OP1 andOP2 but is not formed outside the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.However, the portion of the icon layer IL may be formed on thelight-blocking layer LB in an economical aspect as illustrated in FIG.7. The portion of the icon layer IL disposed on the bottom surface ofthe light-blocking layer LB is not visible to a user due to thelight-blocking layer LB, and thus it does not affect the shape of theicon, which is visible to the user.

In some embodiments, the icon layer IL may include a first sub-iconlayer SIL1 filling the first opening OP1, a second sub-icon layer SIL2filling the second opening OP2, and a third sub-icon layer SIL3 disposedon a bottom end of the second sub-icon layer SIL2 and a portion of thebottom surface of the light-blocking layer LB. The first, second, andthird sub-icon layers SIL1, SIL2, and SIL3 may be integrally formed witheach other.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, a width WD1 of the first sub-icon layer SIL1may be equal to the width W1 of the first opening OP1, and a width WD2of the second sub-icon layer SIL2 may be equal to the width W2 of thesecond opening OP2. Thus, the width WD1 of the first sub-icon layer SIL1may be greater than the width WD2 of the second sub-icon layer SIL2.However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.For example, in the case in which the portion of the light-blockinglayer LB covers at least a portion of the inner sidewall IN1 of thefirst opening OP1 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the width WD1 of thefirst sub-icon layer SIL1 is smaller than the width W1 of the firstopening OP1. In this case, the width WD1 of the first sub-icon layerSIL1 may be substantially equal to the width WD2 of the second sub-iconlayer SIL2. The width WD1 of the first sub-icon layer SIL1 may refer tothe narrowest width of the first sub-icon layer SIL1.

A width WD3 of the third sub-icon layer SIL3 may be greater than thewidth WD1 of the first sub-icon layer SIL1 and the width WD2 of thesecond sub-icon layer SIL2. However, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the width WD3 of thethird sub-icon layer SIL3 may be greater than the width WD2 of thesecond sub-icon layer SIL2 and may be substantially equal to the widthWD1 of the first sub-icon layer SIL1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the window cover WC may further include athird color layer CL3 disposed between the first color layer CL1 and thesecond color layer CL2. The non-active area NAA of the window cover WCmay include a three-color printed color layer. The third color layer CL3may have the first color. A color of the non-active area NAA of thewindow cover WC is the same as the first color of the first, second, andthird color layers CL1, CL2, and CL3.

The icon area IA may be covered by the first color layer CL1 and thethird color layer CL3. Thus, the icon displayed in the icon area IA isvisible to a user only when the backlight is driven. In other words, theicon is not clearly visible to the user in an off state of thebacklight. Like the first color layer CL1, the third color layer CL3 maynot have an opening but may cover the icon area IA. Thus, the icon maybe even less visible to a user in the off state of the backlightproviding light to the icon.

FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 9B is a schematiccross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of FIG. 2 inaccordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a third opening OP3 may be defined in thethird color layer CL3 and may overlap with the first opening OP1. Forexample, in the event that the first color layer CL1 has the first colorhaving a low light transmittance, the third opening OP3 may be definedin the third color layer CL3 to show the icon layer IL to a user. On theother hand, in the event that the first color layer CL1 has the firstcolor having a relatively high light transmittance, the third openingOP3 may not be defined in the third color layer CL3. In other words, thethird opening OP3 may be defined in the third color layer CL3 as needed.

A width W3 of the third opening OP3 may be equal to the width W1 of thefirst opening OP1. In this case, the first color layer CL1 and the thirdcolor layer CL3 may be formed by the same process. The width W3 of thethird opening OP3 may be greater than the width W2 of the second openingOP2. The width W2 of the second opening OP2 may be smaller than thewidths W1 and W3 of the first and third openings OP1 and OP3 inconsideration of a process tolerance.

In the event that the third opening OP3 is defined in the third colorlayer CL3, the icon layer IL may be disposed to fill the first, second,and third openings OP1, OP2, and OP3, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. Thebottom surface of the first color layer CL1, which is exposed by thefirst, second, and third openings OP1, OP2, and OP3, may be covered bythe icon layer IL.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematiccross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of FIG. 2 inaccordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10, and 11, a portion of the light-blockinglayer LB may cover at least a portion of the inner sidewall IN2 of thethird opening OP3 and an inner sidewall IN1 of the first opening OP1(FIG. 10). In some embodiments, the portion of the light-blocking layerLB may cover the entire inner sidewalls IN1, IN2 and contact the firstcolor layer CL1 (FIG. 11). In this case, the icon layer IL may fillremaining portions of the first and third openings OP1 and OP3 exceptportions filled with the light-blocking layer LB. In other words, thefirst and third openings OP1 and OP3 may be completely filled with theicon layer IL and the light-blocking layer LB.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first color layer CL1 may not be formeddirectly on the window base substrate WB. For example, the window coverWC may further include a sub-substrate layer SS disposed between thewindow base substrate WB and the first color layer CL1, and an adhesivelayer AD may be disposed between the sub-substrate layer SS and thewindow base substrate WB. In other words, the first color layer CL1,etc. may be disposed on the sub-substrate layer SS, and then, thesub-substrate layer SS having the first color layer CL1, etc. may bedisposed on the window base substrate WB by using the adhesive layer AD.

The sub-substrate layer SS may use a general substrate known in the art,for example, a polymer resin layer.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the window cover WC may further include anultraviolet (UV) pattern layer UP disposed between the sub-substratelayer SS and the first color layer CL1. The UV pattern layer UP may be alayer including a pattern such as a wave pattern. For example, the UVpattern layer UP may include a base layer LY1 and a UV pattern LY2disposed on the base layer LY1. The UV pattern layer UP may be formedusing an ultraviolet curable resin. A shape of the UP pattern LY2 inFIG. 13 is illustrated as an example. However, embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto. The UV pattern LY2 may be athree-dimensional or molding pattern formed using, for example, adecoration pattern or a fine hair-line. The non-active area NAA of FIG.2 may have texture or haze by the UV pattern layer UP.

The UV pattern LY2 may not overlap with the first and second openingsOP1 and OP2 when viewed in a plan view. Thus, it is possible to preventthe UV pattern LY2 from being visible to a user.

The UV pattern LY2 may be covered by the first color layer CL1. Afterthe UV pattern LY2 is formed, the first color layer CL1 may be formed onthe UV pattern LY2 by the silk-screen printing process.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, the window cover WC may further include areflection pattern layer RP that covers at least a portion of the UVpattern layer UP. For example, the reflection pattern layer RP may coverthe UV pattern LY2. The reflection pattern layer RP may be formed by adeposition process or a coating process. However, embodiments of thepresent disclosure are not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, thereflection pattern layer RP may be formed by printing a reflection ink.The reflection pattern layer RP may realize a color or metallic feelingof the non-active area NAA of FIG. 2. The reflection pattern layer RPmay include a metal having a reflectivity, such as aluminum, gold, orsilver.

In some embodiments, the reflection pattern layer RP may not overlapwith the first and second openings OP1 and OP2 when viewed in a planview.

The reflection pattern layer RP may have a multi-layered structure inwhich a low refractive index layer and a high refractive index layer arealternately stacked. For example, the reflection pattern layer RP mayhave a multi-layered structure in which a layer including titanium oxide(TiO₂) and a layer including silicon oxide (SiO₂) are alternatelystacked.

The light-blocking layer LB may have a substantially black color. Forexample, the light-blocking layer LB may be a printed layer that iscalled ‘a black matrix’. The light-blocking layer LB may block lightprovided to an area except the second opening OP2. In some embodiments,the color of the light-blocking layer LB may be changed into anothercolor capable of effectively blocking light, not a black color.

Each of the first and second color layers CL1 and CL2 may include atleast one of a metal particle, a pearl pigment, or a mirror ink. In theembodiment in which the window cover WC further includes the third colorlayer CL3 as described above, the third color layer CL3 may also includeat least one of a metal particle, a pearl pigment, or a mirror ink. Forexample, the metal particle may be an aluminum particle or a silverparticle. The pearl pigment may have a silver, white, gold, or bluecolor. Light inputted to the first color layer CL1, the second colorlayer CL2, etc. may be irregularly reflected by the metal particle, thepearl pigment, and/or the mirror ink, thereby realizing athree-dimensional effect or metallic feeling.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a lineII-II′ of FIG. 2.

As described above, the icon is visible to a user only in the specificmode in the display device DD of FIG. 1 according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure. To achieve this, referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and15, the display device DD of FIG. 1 according to the embodiment mayfurther include an icon backlight unit IBLU. The icon backlight unitIBLU is disposed under the light-blocking layer LB and the icon layerIL.

The icon backlight unit IBLU provides light to the non-active area NAAof the window cover WC but does not provide light to the active area AAof the window cover WC. Light outputted from the display panel DPdisposed under the window cover WC is provided to the active area AA. Inmore detail, the icon backlight unit IBLU provides the light to the iconarea IA of the non-active area NAA.

When the icon backlight unit IBLU is driven, the light is provided tothe icon area IA, and thus a user can view or recognize the icon. Whenthe icon backlight unit IBLU is in an off state, the light is notprovided to the icon area IA, and thus a user does not clearly view orrecognize the icon. Since the icon area IA is covered by the first colorlayer CL1 as described above, the icon may not be visible to a user inthe off state of the icon backlight unit IBLU.

The icon backlight unit IBLU may include a printed circuit board PCB, alight source LS, a light guide plate LGP, and an optical sheet OS. Thelight source LS is disposed on a bottom surface of the printed circuitboard PCB. The light source LS may include at least one light emittingdiode. Light emitted from the light source LS is provided into the lightguide plate LGP and is then outputted in a front direction of thedisplay device DD of FIG. 1. The optical sheet OS may be disposed on atop surface of the light guide plate LGP. The optical sheet OS isdisposed between the printed circuit board PCB and the light guide plateLGP. The optical sheet OS may include a single sheet or a plurality ofsheets.

Even though not shown in the drawings, a reflection sheet may bedisposed under the light guide plate LGP. The reflection sheet mayreflect light, leaked through a bottom surface of the light guide plateLGP, toward the light guide plate LGP. Thus, light efficiency of theicon backlight unit IBLU may be improved.

The icon backlight unit IBLU may be fixed to the window cover WC with anicon adhesive layer FL interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the iconbacklight unit IBLU may be spaced apart from the window cover WC and/ormay be disposed below the display panel DP.

When the icon backlight unit IBLU is driven, the icon may be luminousthrough the window cover WC and a shape IC of the icon may be the sameas the shape of the second opening OP2. In other words, the lightprovided from the icon backlight unit IBLU may be outputted outwardthrough the second opening OP2, and thus the icon corresponding to theshape of the second opening OP2 may be visible to a user.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to a lineIII-III′ of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the light source LS of the icon backlightunit IBLU does not overlap with the display panel DP when viewed in aplan view. For example, the display panel DP may include a firstsubstrate SUB1, a display layer DB disposed on the first substrate SUB1,and a second substrate SUB2 disposed on the display layer DB. Thedisplay layer DB may be a general one known in the art. For example, thedisplay layer DB may include an organic light-emitting element or mayinclude a liquid crystal layer. When the display layer DB includes theorganic light-emitting element, the display device DD of FIG. 1according to an embodiment may be an organic electro-luminescencedisplay device. On the other hand, when the display layer DB includesthe liquid crystal layer, the display device DD may be a liquid crystaldisplay device.

The second substrate SUB2 and the first substrate SUB1 may seal thedisplay layer DB. Even though not shown in the drawings, the firstsubstrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 may be bonded to each otherby using a sealant. The second substrate SUB2 may be a sealing memberand may have a multi-layered structure in which an organic layer and aninorganic layer are alternately stacked. An area of the second substrateSUB2 may be smaller than an area of the first substrate SUB 1.

The display device DD of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment may furtherinclude at least one of general elements known in the art. For example,the display device DD may further include a touch sensing unit TS and apolarizing member POL.

The touch sensing unit TS may be disposed on the second substrate SUB2.The touch sensing unit TS may be disposed directly on the secondsubstrate SUB2, as illustrated in FIG. 16. However, embodiments of theinventive concepts are not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, thetouch sensing unit TS may be disposed on the second substrate SUB2 withan adhesive layer interposed therebetween. The polarizing member POL maybe disposed on the touch sensing unit TS. When the display layer DBincludes the organic light-emitting element, the polarizing member POLmay perform an anti-reflection function with respect to external light.An adhesive member AH may be disposed between the polarizing member POLand the window cover WC. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 isillustrated as an example. However, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, a stackingorder of the polarizing member POL and the touch sensing unit TS may bechanged as needed.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 16, an embodiment of the presentdisclosure provides the display device which includes the display panelDP, and the window cover WC disposed on the display panel DP andincluding the icon area IA and the active area AA. The window cover WCincludes the window base substrate WB, the multi-layered color layerCL1, CL2, and LB (the light-blocking layer LB is sometimes called acolor layer LB) disposed on the window base substrate WB and overlappingwith the icon area IA, and the icon layer IL disposed at a lower side ofthe color layer CL1, CL2, and LB. The color layer CL1, CL2, and LBincludes a lower layer CL1 covering the icon area IA, at least oneintermediate layer CL2 in which an intermediate opening OP1 overlappingwith the icon area IA is defined, and an upper layer LB in which anupper opening OP2 overlapping with the intermediate opening OP1 isdefined. A portion of the upper layer LB covers at least a portion ofthe inner sidewall IN1 of the intermediate opening OP1.

Meanwhile, the same or similar elements as described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 16 are indicated by the same reference designators, and thedescriptions thereto are omitted for the purpose of ease and conveniencein explanation and illumination.

Descriptions to the elements such as the display panel DP and the windowcover WC are the same as described above and are omitted.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosureincludes the window cover including the icon area, and the icon luminousthrough the icon area is clearly visible to a user in the specific mode.In more detail, the icon is clearly visible to a user only in the modein which light is provided to the icon area. Generally, color layersdisposed on a window cover may cover an icon area in order that an iconis not clearly visible to a user in a mode in which light is notprovided. In this case, it is difficult to increase a lighttransmittance of the icon area as compared with a light transmittance ofa color of the color layer.

In the display device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the opening overlapping with the icon area may be defined inthe color layer, not adjacent to the window base substrate, of theplurality of color layers. Thus, a transmittance may be improved. Inaddition, since the display device includes the structure in which theicon layer fills the openings, the color of the icon may be variouslycontrolled according to the material of the icon layer.

Meanwhile, in a case in which color layers include metal particles in aconventional art, metal particles may be visible to a user when an iconarea is luminous. However, in the display device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the opening is defined in thecolor layer not adjacent to the window base substrate, thereby reducinga ratio of the layer including the metal particles. In addition, theicon layer filling the opening is provided to induce diffusion andirregular reflection of light, and thus it is possible to prevent orminimize the problem that the metal particles are visible.

In the display device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the transmittance and color feeling of the icon can beeasily controlled as needed, and the icon is visible to a user only inthe specific mode.

While the inventive concepts have been described with reference toexample embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirits and scopes of the inventive concepts. Therefore, itshould be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, butillustrative. Thus, the scopes of the inventive concepts are to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panel; anda window cover that is disposed on the display panel and includes anactive area and an icon area, wherein the window cover comprises: awindow base substrate; a multi-layered color layer that is disposedbetween the window base substrate and the display panel, and overlapswith the icon area; and an icon layer disposed between the multi-layeredcolor layer and the display panel, wherein the multi-layered color layercomprises: a lower layer covering the icon area; at least oneintermediate layer in which an intermediate opening overlapping with theicon area is defined; and an upper layer in which an upper openingoverlapping with the intermediate opening is defined, wherein the upperlayer includes a light-blocking material; and a portion of the upperlayer covers at least a portion of an inner sidewall of the intermediateopening.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein a portion of theupper layer is in contact with the lower layer.
 3. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein each of the lower layer and the intermediate layer hasa first color, and wherein the icon layer has a second color differentfrom the first color.
 4. The display device of claim 3, wherein thefirst color and the second color complement each other.
 5. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the icon layer comprises: a first sub-iconlayer disposed at the intermediate opening; and a second sub-icon layerdisposed at the upper opening.
 6. The display device of claim 5, whereinthe icon layer further comprises: a third sub-icon layer disposed undera bottom surface of the upper layer, wherein a width of the thirdsub-icon layer is greater than a width of the first sub-icon layer and awidth of the second sub-icon layer.
 7. The display device of claim 1,further comprising: a sub-substrate layer disposed between the windowbase substrate and the lower layer; and an adhesive layer disposedbetween the window base substrate and the sub-substrate layer.
 8. Thedisplay device of claim 7, further comprising: an ultraviolet (UV)pattern layer disposed between the sub-substrate layer and the lowerlayer.
 9. The display device of claim 8, further comprising: areflection pattern layer covering at least a portion of the UV patternlayer.
 10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the upper layer has ablack color.
 11. The display device of claim 1, wherein each of thelower layer and the intermediate layer includes at least one of a metalparticle, a pearl pigment, or a mirror ink.
 12. The display device ofclaim 1, further comprising: an icon backlight unit disposed on theupper layer and the icon layer.
 13. The display device of claim 12,wherein the icon backlight unit is fixed to the window cover.
 14. Thedisplay device of claim 12, wherein the icon backlight unit comprises alight source, and wherein the light source does not overlap with thedisplay panel when viewed in a plan view.
 15. A display devicecomprising: a display panel; and a window cover that is disposed on thedisplay panel and includes an active area and an icon area, wherein thewindow cover comprises: a window base substrate; and a multi-layeredcolor layer that is disposed between the window base substrate and thedisplay panel, and overlaps with the icon area, wherein themulti-layered color layer comprises: a lower layer covering the iconarea; at least one intermediate layer in which an intermediate openingoverlapping with the icon area is defined; and an upper layer in whichan upper opening overlapping with the intermediate opening is defined,wherein the upper layer includes a light-blocking material; and aportion of the upper layer covers at least a portion of an innersidewall of the intermediate opening.
 16. A display device comprising: adisplay panel; and a window cover that is disposed on the display paneland includes an active area and an icon area, wherein the window covercomprises: a window base substrate; a multi-layered color layer that isdisposed between the window base substrate and the display panel, andoverlaps with the icon area; and an icon layer disposed between themulti-layered color layer and the display panel, wherein themulti-layered color layer comprises: a lower layer covering the iconarea; at least one intermediate layer in which an intermediate openingoverlapping with the icon area is defined; and an upper layer in whichan upper opening overlapping with the intermediate opening is defined;and a portion of the upper layer covers at least a portion of an innersidewall of the intermediate opening.